Card filing system



June 15; 1937. M. VOGEL CARD FILING SYSTEM Filed July 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR MAX VEIEEL.

ATTORNEY June 15, 1937. M. VOGEL 2,083,757

I CARD FILING SYSTEM Filed July 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR x VUBEL.

ATTORNEY Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ApplicationJuly 17, 1935. Serial No. 31,772. In Great Britain February 26, 1935 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in card filling systems and particularly a system for arranging by means of interlocking strip ele-- ments a series of cards to form a card index. The strip elements according to a preferred form of my invention are adapted to be connected with one another by relative longitudinal movement and locked together in such a way that they form an independent carrying unit for the cards, which can be easily handled as a whole and can be conveniently lodged, and which needs neither a frame, a drawer, a binding cover nor any other support to hold it together, but which on the other hand can readily be separated into 5 individual elements or groups of elements, and also enables further elements to be attached at will or any desired individual elements to be removed.

The strip elements serve at the same time for holding cards or card-like carriers for cards or 20 sheets, or else for stiffer elements, such as boards,

The strip elements do not occupy much space,

and can be cheaply manufactured by a simple 5 operation on mass production lines, for instance by folding or bending strips of sheet metal, celluloid or like materials.

In a preferred form of the invention the strip elements are provided with folds which receive the cards, and for the purpose of forming the- 4 composite carrier the strip elements engage one in another by means of the folds, preferably in such a way that any desired cards, either alone or with their strips, can be taken out of the carrim or inserted therein.

According to a further form of construction of the invention the strip comprises a central portion and two flanges, one on the front and one on the back, which form two folds opposite to one 7 another in such a way that. for the formation of the composite carrier the adjacent flanges interlockingly'engage one another and for the formation of the card index the cards are inserted in the folds, the card inserted in one fold being 55 at one side of the carrier, and the card inserted in the other fold being at the opposite side of the carrier.

For the purpose of locking the strip elements together the folds are provided at or near the free edges with projections directed towards the central member, the projection of one fold of one strip element interlocking with the projection of the other fold of the adjacent strip element.

Preferably the strip element is folded in the form of the letter S, with flanges or limbs folded downwardly and upwardly at opposite sides from the upper and lower: ends of its central portion, the free edges of the flanges being folded over in an inward direction to form the locking projections.

With the above and other objects in view embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and these embodiments will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged front elevation of one of the strip elements according to the invention, the intermediate portion being broken away.

Fig. 2 is an end view from the left hand end as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end View from the right hand end as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top edge View.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of one of the cards according to the invention, the intermediate and the upper portion being broken away.

Fig. 6 is an edge view of the card from the right hand edge as seen in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an end View showing a series of the strip elements in interlocked relation with the cards secured in certain of them.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the strip elements and cards shown in Fig. 7, portions being broken away.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end portion of a hanger strip adapted to be interlocked with the upper card carrying strip.

Fig. 10 is an end view of a series of strips and cards according to a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is an end view of a series of strips and cards according to another modified form of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a tray in which the strips and cards may be carried, if

desired.

Referring to the drawings, the individual strip shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a plurality of which are adapted to be interlockingly connected together as shown in Figs 7 and 8, comprises a central portion i ii, and a pair of flanges l l and i2 bent respectively from the top edge downwardly at the back of the portion it and from the bottom edge upwardly at the front of the portion iii, the flange ll having its marginal portion bent inwardly and upwardly upon itself to form a locking abutment 5 and the flange it having its marginal portion bent inwardly downwardly upon itself to form a locking abutment i l.

The length of the flange Ii and its locln'ng abutment i3, and its spacing from the portion H],

are such that it may be longitudinally slid upon the flange l2 of a similar strip to securely lock the pair of strips together, the spacing of the abutment it from the bight of the fold of the flange ii corresponding to the length of the locking abutment i4 so that the latter may fit therein in interlocking relation, and the spacing of the locking abutment it from the portion 59 substantially corresponding to the metal thickness of the flange E2. The length of the flange 32 and its spacing from the portion it! is such that with I the flange ll of another strip locked therewith a space is provided between said flange ii and the portion iii for the reception of a card longitudinally slide therein, while the spacing of the free edge of said interlocked flange is from the bight of the fold of the flange i2 is such as to provide a pocket for slidably but snugly receiving a looking fold provided at the lower edge of the card, The strip elements are preferably formed of thin sheet metal and with their folded flanges provide a structure having longitudinal rigidity.

The card it, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is provided at its lower edge with a marginal shoulder forming locking fold or projection 56 adapted to be slidably engaged longitudinally with said pocket formed in the interlocked strips, one end of the fold it being rounded or tapered, as at ll, so as to facilitate its entrance into said pocket. The fold iii may be produced by a weakening line, an embossing, a line of perforations, a crease or other suitable methods, and before use will preferably be unfolded to facilitate packaging and storage, although it may be permanently glued in folded position, if desired. Score lines 58 and I9 are provided in the card in spaced relation to the fold to provide a hinge for easily swinging the card, the score lines being arranged so that the card may swing about the edge of the interlocked flanges, as shown in Fig. 7. A plurality of cards may, if desired, be secured in the same strip, as shown for instance in the third strip from the top in Fig. '7, where two cards are secured in this strip. Tie flange I2 is resilient enough to yield if necessary.

In order to limit the sliding movement of the strips in one direction, so that they will be aligned when assembled, the flange l i and the portion iii are pinched together at one end, as at 25 and at the same end the flange i2 is spaced or set back from the end of the portion id, so that when one strip is interlocked with another said end of the flange Q2 of one strip will abut the pinched end 28 of the other strip: when the end edges of the strips are aligned, as shown in Fig. 8 Obviously other suitable movement limiting means may be employed if desired. The ends of the locking abutments i3 and it are also rounded, as at 2i, to facilitate interengagement when sliding one strip into locking relation with the other.

The card is inserted longitudinally into the fold of the strip from one side, and its movement is limited by a projection 22 pressed up from the portion l9, preferably in the exposed space between the set back end edge of the flange l2 and the end edge of the portion I0, the card having a recess 23 cut in its edge to engage this projection. Obviously other suitable card limiting means may be employed if desired.

The card may be inserted in the strip before connection of the strip with another strip, or it may be inserted after such connection. In Fig. 8 the card of the second strip from the top is shown partially withdrawn. Any of the cards may be withdrawn without disturbing the strips or if desired individual strips with their cards may be disengaged at any point from the index and the remaining strips then connected together. As the cards and strips are securely interlocked transversely accidental disengagement, except by longitudinal movement in one direction, is not possible.

By selecting the length of the flanges H and i2, particularly the flange l2, in comparison with the length of the portion ill, so that a part of the portion I is exposed, a step formation of the strips in relation to one another is obtained, so that when the cards are inserted a stepped card index is obtained, the projection of one card with respect to the next corresponding to the width of the exposed part of the portion iii. In practice this projecting portion of the card will usually have identifying data inscribed therein, and this may if desired be protected by a transparent covering 24, of celluloid or the like, clamped over it as shown in Figs. '7 and 8. The exposed part of the portion ii! above the flange i2 is provided with a notation surface 25, produced by celluloid coating, paint, or other well known means, so that identifying data may be inscribed thereon, this being particularly desirable, when a card is temporarily removed. The surface 25 will preferably be such that it may receive a temporary notation to be later erased, if desired, celluloid coating being suitable for this purpose.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a hanger strip adapted to be interlockingly engaged with the upper strip of the index if it is desired tb hang it on a wall. A flange 34 is bent upwardly from the lower end and its upper marginal portion is bent inwardly and downwardly upon itself to form a locking abutment 35, this flange and locking abutment adapted to be slidably interlocked with the flange H and locking abutment l3 of the upper strip element. Holes 36 are provided in the strip 33 for locking engagement'of a nail.

As shown in the modification, Fig. 10, the flange H corresponds approximately to the length of the central portion m while the flange I l is substantially the same as the flange H of the first embodiment. The respective flanges H and i2 have locking abutments I3 and li provided thereon. In this case the interlocked strips are disposed in upright position, and the cards may also be upright, particularly if they are of stiff material, in which case they may constitute a flle for receiving papers between the cards. The cards i shown in engagement with the interlocked strips are similar to those of the first embodiment and are provided with a marginal locking fold 16.

In Fig. 11 there is disclosed another modification in which the flanges N and H2 at the opposite sides of the central portion lo are of symmetrical form, and in which the locking 12 and from the central portion lo to provide spaces at each side of the interlocked strips for the reception of the cards [5 and their locking folds I6, thus providing a double card system.

In Fig. 12 I have shown a tray for receiving interlocked index strips and cards according to the invention, this tray having a base 26, an angular rim flange 21 at one end and angular rim flanges 28 and 29 at its sides, one end being open for inserting the index. The projecting marginal ends of the strips engage beneath the flanges 28 and 29 and the cards are disposed between said flanges, so that while the cards may be freely used they cannot be removed, except by first removing the index through the open end of the tray. In order to prevent accidental removal, a removable bar 30 of any desired form may be inserted in the open end, being provided for instance with retractable spring pressed end bolts 3| engaging slots 32 in the flanges 28 and 29 in a manner as will be readily understood.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. In a card filing system, a series of interlocking card carrying strips, each comprising an intermediate strip portion and longitudinal flanges extending downwardly and upwardly from its upper and lower ends at opposite sides of and in spaced relation to said strip portion, abutment means on said flanges at their inner sides and spaced from said strip portion, the upper flange of one strip adapted to be longitudinally engaged with the lower flange of an adjacent strip with said abutment means engaged with each other to interlock them against transverse disengagement.

2. In a card filing system, a series of interlocking card carrying strips, each comprising an intermediate strip portion and longitudinal flanges extending downwardly and upwardly from its respective upper and lower ends at opposite sides of said strip portion, the upper flange of one strip adapted to be engaged with the lower flange of an adjacent strip to interlock them, at least one of said flanges being of such Width as to provide a longitudinal card receiving space between the base of said flange and the flange of the adjacent strip interlocked therewith, there being a space between said interlocked flange and the strip portion forming a restricted slot for receiving the card, and a card having a projecting portion contiguous to one longitudinal edge, said card adapted to be longitudinally engaged with said slot with said projecting portion interlockingly engaged in said space.

3. In a card filing system, a series of interlocking card carrying strips, each comprising an intermediate strip portion and longitudinal flanges extending downwardly and upwardly from its upper and lower ends at opposite sides of and in spaced relation to said strip portion, abutment means on said flanges at their inner sides and spaced from said strip portion, the upper flange of one strip adapted to be longitudinally engaged with the lower flange of an adjacent strip with said abutment means engaged with each other to interlock them against transverse disengagement, the spacing of the abutment means of one of said flanges from the end of said flange connected to said intermediate strip portion being substantially equal to the spacing of the abutment means of the other flange from the free edge of said other flange whereby in the engaged relation of said abutment means relative transverse movement between said interlocked strips is prevented.

l. In a card filing system, a series of interlocking card carrying strips, each comprising an intermediate strip portion and longitudinal flanges extending downwardly and upwardly from its respective upper and lower ends at opposite sides of said strip portion, the upper flange of one strip adapted to engage with the lower flange of an adjacent strip to interlock them, at least one of said flanges being of such width as to provide a longitudinal card receiving space between the base of said flange and the flange of the adjacent strip interlocked therewith, there being a space between said interlocked flange and the strip portion forming a restricted slot for receiving the card, and a card having a shoulder contiguous to one longitudinal edge, said card adapted to be longitudinally engaged with said slot with said shoulder interlockingly engaged in said card receiving space, the transverse distance from said shoulder of said card to said one longitudinal edge being substantially equal to the transverse dimension of said card receiving space whereby relative transverse movement between said card and said strips is prevented.

5. In a card filing system, a series of interlocking card carrying strips, each comprising an intermediate strip portion and longitudinal flanges extending downwardly and upwardly from its upper and lower ends at opposite sides of and in spaced relation to said strip portion, abutment means on said flanges at their inner sides and spaced from said strip portion, the upper flange of one strip adapted to be longitudinally engaged with the lower flange of an adjacent strip with said abutment means engaged with each other to interlock them against transverse disengagement, the spacing of the abutment means of one of said flanges from the end of said flange connected to said intermediate strip portion being substantially equal to the spacing of the abutment means of the other flange from the free edge of said other flange whereby in the engaged relation of said abutment means relative transverse movement between said interlocked strips is prevented, at least one of said flanges being of such width as to provide a longitudinal card receiving space between the base of said flange and the flange of the adjacent strip interlocked therewith, there being a space between said interlocked flange and the strip porticn forming a restricted slot for receiving the card, and a card having a shoulder contiguous to one longitudinal edge, said card adapted to be longitudinally engaged with said slot with said shoulder interlockingly engaged in said card receiving space, the transverse distance from said shoulder of said card tosaid one longitudinal edge being substantially equal to the transverse dimension of said card receiving space whereby relative transverse movement between said card and said strips is prevented.

MAX VOGEL. 

